Chapter 3

• Scarlett's POV
• I hung up and dragged my suitcase out of the bedroom.
• Titus was flirting with Marcella. The second he saw me, his face went cold.
• “Well, that was fast.”
• “The money?" he challenged me. "Did you send it?”
• “Don’t tell me you’re broke and trying to bail?” he joked, making everyone laugh.
• Marcella leaned into his arms, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Titus, she’s a nobody. How's she gonna get two million? Work the red-light district?”
• They both snickered like creeps.
• I walked up to Titus and waved my phone. “It's sent.”
• “Check it," I dared him.
• “And don’t ever contact me again," I spat out. "You disgust me.”
• I grabbed my suitcase and headed for the door.
• “Stop!”
• Titus barked.
• He glanced at his phone and snorted. “Scarlett, cut the crap. Where’s the transfer?”
• He shoved his screen in my face.
• No two million showed up.
• Oh, right. I’d set it to hit later.
• I said, annoyed, “It’s delayed. It clears in two hours.”
• The trust-fund punks exploded in laughter.
• “Quit pretending you’re loaded! Lame act!”
• “Block her!" they urged Titus. "No money, no leaving!”
• They swarmed me and sealed off the door.
• Titus walked up and patted my cheek, like he was teasing a disobedient dog.
• “Enough, Scarlett.”
• “Drop the act," he insisted. "Aren’t you tired?”
• His smugness emanated off him like cheap perfume. “I know you’re broke, and I know you can’t live without me."
• “Just kneel to Marcella right now and knock your head on the floor three times," he continued.
• Then, a smirk spread on his face. “Then say, ‘I was wrong. I’m a bitch.’”
• “And we’re good," he finished, like it was easy.
• I waited for the last punchline, and he delivered no problem.
• “I won’t even take the two million. The wedding stays on.”
• He looked so smug it made me sick.
• He thought I’d grovel and thank him.
• I just stared at him, cold. “Fuck off.”
• His smile froze. “What did you say?”
• “I said, fuck off.”
• “Who the hell do you think you are to make me kneel?” I asked.
• He lost it. “So that’s how it is?”
• “Boys, hold her down!” Titus commanded.
• “She’s kneeling today whether she wants to or not!” he said.
• The rich brats had been itching for this.
• They cracked their knuckles, grinning like pervs, before lunging at me.
• “Sorry, Scarlett! No hard feelings!”
• “Titus gave the order," they said. "Be a good girl and kneel!”
• From the back, Marcella yelled, thrilled, “Rip her clothes off! Let’s see how high-and-mighty she acts then!”
• The fat guy in front reached for my hair.
• My gaze went cold.
• I pivoted on instinct and slipped aside.
• My left hand clamped around his wrist. My right hand braced his elbow.
• Then I wrenched it backward.
• Crack!
• A clean pop of a joint giving way.
• “Ah!”
• He screamed like a stuck pig and crumpled.
• “Try me again, and this arm is done for," I gritted out.
• I’d trained in kickboxing for eight years.
• These pampered clowns were trash to me.
• Titus was stunned and hurried to call them off.
• I grabbed my suitcase and walked out without looking back.
• Behind me, Titus screamed, frantic and pissed.
• “Scarlett! You walk out, don’t come back!”
• His face contorted with rage. “I’ll make you regret this for the rest of your life!”
• “Marcella!" Titus suddenly turned to her. "Go try on wedding dresses!”
• Then he sneered. “If she doesn’t know what’s good for her, you’re the new bride!”